Senior lecturers in the Department of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Abuja, now Yakubu Gowon University, have urged Nigerian youths to move beyond social media activism and take up direct roles in politics ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that the country's democracy would remain weak without such engagement.

The call formed part of a report released on Friday by the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation for Peace and Development, following a democracy conference organised with the Department. The report, titled around "Youth Political Participation and Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria" and "Digital Politics, Electoral Integrity and Peacebuilding in Contemporary Nigeria," identified the high cost of politics, electoral violence, political godfatherism, poverty and weak institutions as major barriers keeping young Nigerians out of leadership positions.

Delivering the welcome address, Professor Yusuf Zoaka noted that democratic governance had continued to decline despite expectations of growth through transparency and accountability, and stated that "youths must engage beyond social media and voting."

Country Director of the Foundation, Angela Odah, described young people as central to the credibility of the 2027 elections, noting in her goodwill message that "every stage of the electoral process must be transparent, peaceful and inclusive."

Presenting the lead paper, Professor Samson Adeniji explained that political participation extends beyond voting to include contesting elections, party membership, election observation and civic advocacy, and disclosed that "the high cost of politics, political godfatherism, electoral violence, poverty, unemployment and weak internal party democracy continue to hinder meaningful youth participation."

Dr Uchenna Umeorekwu linked vote buying to worsening poverty and unemployment, while Professor Saleh Dauda cautioned that digital platforms could spread misinformation capable of undermining electoral integrity. Professor Magdalene added that technologies such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System had reduced over voting but stressed that vote buying remained a persistent challenge.

The report recommended reducing the cost of politics, strengthening electoral institutions, improving civic education and expanding youth inclusion in governance, alongside greater participation by women. It further urged young Nigerians to reject vote buying, register as voters and build leadership capacity rather than confine their engagement to social media platforms.